“I was frustrated with local events with ‘blues' in the title that don't feature blues artists,” said Jeff Steel, better known as Papa J (pictured), the Garden Grove-based singer-harmonica virtuoso of Blues Gone South, who has organized the daylong fest set for Sunday at the Olde Ship British Pub & Restaurant in Santa Ana.

“I thought I'll do something and it will be 100 percent blues,” added Papa J, who is also performing at the festival backed by a strong trio featuring drummer Kofi Baker (son of Cream drummer Ginger Baker), guitarist Fran Banish and bassist Doug Lunn. The event in full, however, boasts nearly 10 hours of blues music, including Louisiana-born singer-guitarist K.K. Martin, the Flames, Oozie Blues Band and several other fine proponents of traditional and modern blues.

Papa J points out that all the artists are either based in Orange County or have played here regularly, so they have a connection with area blues fans. “I tried to make it inclusive, so I also made sure to feature several female singers,” he mentioned, noting that singer Shari Puorto's band as well as the P-Cats and the Flames feature women front-and-center.

Puorto's powerful vocals draw natural comparisons with forebears from Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt to Etta James and Janis Joplin. The Hermosa Beach performer is one of Southern California's best-known local blues singers, having opened for, among others, Robben Ford, Tower of Power, Leon Russell and Joe Bonamassa; in December she is scheduled to warm up for O.C. guitar-slinger Walter Trout at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills.